Donald Trump Jr. has reportedly dropped out of a fundraiser for Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush, the son of Jeb Bush, because of recent criticism from the Bush family directed at President Trump.
Two sources close to Trump Jr. originally told Axios that he pulled out of the fundraiser in New York scheduled for June 25 because of recent comments from Jeb and other members of the Bush family about the Trump administration separating thousands of migrant children from families who illegally cross the border. The practice is a result of the Justice Department's "zero tolerance" policy, something former first lady Laura Bush voiced her objections about as well. The story was later confirmed by The Hill.
Related: Laura Bush says Trump putting immigrant children in "cages" is like World War II internment camps
"Don was originally happy to do a favor for George P. and headline the fundraiser, but after Jeb's incessant attacks, Don decided enough was enough and pulled the plug," a source close to Trump Jr. told The Hill.
On Monday, Jeb Bush said, "Children shouldn't be used as a negotiating tool." He added that Trump should "end this heartless policy and Congress should get an immigration deal done that provides for asylum reform, border security and a path to citizenship for Dreamers."
Children shouldn’t be used as a negotiating tool. @realDonaldTrump should end this heartless policy and Congress should get an immigration deal done that provides for asylum reform, border security and a path to citizenship for Dreamers. https://t.co/OOjv0vNeVg
— Jeb Bush (@JebBush) June 18, 2018
In an op-ed published by The Washington Post on Sunday, Laura Bush said the policy was "cruel" and "immoral" and compared it to Japanese-American internment camps in the U.S. during World War II.
George P. Bush previously had the support of Don Trump Jr. and received an endorsement from the president in February.
Texas LC George P. Bush backed me when it wasn’t the politically correct thing to do, and I back him now. Also, AC Sid Miller has been with me from the beginning, he is “Trump’s Man in Texas.” Also support Comptroller Glenn Hegar, and Railroad Commissioner Christi Craddick.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 27, 2018
A source close to Trump Jr. told Politico that despite Jeb Bush's comments and his cancellation of appearing at George P. Bush's fundraiser, Trump Jr. still personally likes him. The source added that George P. Bush apologized to Trump Jr. for his father's comments and that it wouldn't happen again.
This isn't the first time the Bush family and Trump have squabbled with each other in a public arena.
During a talk at Yale University on March 27, Jeb Bush said that after losing to Trump in the 2016 GOP presidential primary he was thankful to return home to his children who "actually love me."
Trump Jr. fired back with a scathing tweet saying that "I love that he's a fighter, I love that he has guts, I love that he's President (all those things you're not)."
He added: "Also love that he learned enough about politics in a few weeks to dismantle you piece by piece despite it being your life's work."
Jeb! I love everything about my father. I love that he’s a fighter, I love that he has guts, I love that he’s President (all those things you’re not)
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) March 29, 2018
Also love that he learned enough about politics in a few weeks to dismantle you piece by piece despite it being your life’s work https://t.co/4fcnA1AgAa
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About the writer
Ramsey Touchberry is a Washington Correspondent for Newsweek based in the nation's capital, where he regularly covers Congress.
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